Feb. 13, 2008

MEMPHIS- University of Memphis men's soccer coach Richie Grant announced Wednesday the signing of ten players to be added to the roster for the 2008 season. This is the largest signing day class in Grant's tenure at Memphis.

"I'm real excited about the group," Grant said. This class has it what takes athletically and academically to make the program better. I would also like to compliment Nick Glaser on his hard work throughout the recruiting process."

2008 Memphis Soccer Signing Class

Jason Brooks
Midfielder
Tulsa, Okla./Union HS

Joins the Tigers after helping lead his high school to the 2007 Oklahoma 6A state championship ... Was named all-conference and all-district in 2007 ... Received academic excellence award at high school ... Received certificate of outstanding academic performance from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education ... Coached in high school by Cory Butler and Eric Marshall ... Club coach was Victor Moreland ... Son of Gary and Miriam Brooks.

Dale Calvert
Midfielder/Forward
Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian HS

Played club soccer for Westside United ... Three time all-conference and all-district selection ... Team captain three years ... Played in state all-star game in 2006-2007 ... Scored 20 career goals and had fourteen assists ... Coached in high school by Gary Hart ... Club coach was Clay Havill ... Son of Devin and Marla Calvert.

Parker Duncan
Forward
Johnson City Tenn./Providence Academy

Holds school records single season goals (40), single season assists (27), single season points (107), career goals (117), career assists (80) and career points (314) ... Named varsity MVP all four years ... Won under 16 and under 17 state championships and was an under 17 Regional semifinalist with the Knoxville Football Club ... Averaged two goals per game and 1.35 assists per game as a senior .... Also played baseball and was a drummer in the school band ... Coached in high school by Martin Sells ... Club coach was Kyle McCoy ... Son of Dr. Richard and Lee Anne Duncan.

Ranked #1 Goalkeeper in the Greater Houston Area... was named all district in 2006 and 2007 ... Had 27 shut-outs in 33 games in 2006 and 2007 ... Won three state championships with the Houston Texas club soccer team ... Had a combined goals allowed average of .24 for the 2006-2007 season ... Coached in High School by Allen Baker ... Club coach was Pete Deaville ... Son of Gordon and Nikki Gibson.

Elias Groft
Forward
Portland, Tenn./Portland HS

Twice selected all-district, all-region, and all-county ... Selected first-team all-state in 2007 ... Set single season goals for career goals (45), single season goals (26) and single season points (67) ... Also lettered in football and cross country ... Coached in high school by Steven Glaser ... Son of Steven Groft and Yvette Groft.

Brad Jacobs
Forward/Midfielder
Franklin, Tenn./Brentwood HS

Named All-State, All-Mid State, All-District, District Player of the Year and Offensive MVP for HS ... Team won state championship in 2005 ... Played for the Tennessee Football Club ...Led his club league in scoring twice ... Scored 25 goals and 16 assists in 2007 ... Coached in high school by Mike Purcell ... Club coach was Ajit Korgaokar ... Son of Joe and Lou Anne Jacobs.

Jordan Leedle
Goalkeeper
Franklin, Tenn./Brentwood HS

Named All-State in 2006 and 2007, All-Mid State in 2007 and All-District in 2007 ... Had a .47 goals against average and recorded 11 shutouts in 2007... 40-3-3 record as a starter with 30 career shutouts ... Team won state championship in 2005 ... Played for Tennessee Football Club for the Tennessee Football Club ....Tied for the school record for most shutouts in a season with 15 ... Coached in high school by Mike Purcell ... Club coach Ajit Korgaokar ... Son of Ben and Donna Leedle.

Cody McCoy
Midfielder
Knoxville, Tenn./West HS

Selected All-State in 2006 and 2007, All-Region in 2006 and 2007, second team Pep Extra in 2006 and Pep Extra in 2007 ... Named Team Offensive MVP in 2006 and Team MVP in 2007 ... Named 2005 Newcomer of the Year ... Netted 17 goals and 11 assists in 2007 ... Played Club soccer for the Knoxville FC Crush Arsenal ... Club team won state championships in 2002, 2006 and 2007 and was a Regional semi-finalist ... Coached in high school by Kyle McCoy ... Club coach was Kyle McCoy ... Son of Kyle and Patsy McCoy.

Chris Porter
Defender
Flowood, Miss./Northwest Rankin HS

Team captain as a senior ... Named Team Most Valuable Defensive Player as a junior ... Had three goals and four assist in 2007 ... Team Captain for Mississippi Fire Soccer Club ... Won four state championships with club team ... Coached in high school by Chris Gardner and Cecil Hinds ... Club coaches were Chad Hampton and Kenny White ... Son of Jerry Porter and Audrey Fitzpatrick.

Thomas Shannon
Forward/Midfielder
Broken Arrow Okla./Broken Arrow HS

Selected All-Conference and All-District in 2006 and 2007 and All-Metro in 2007 ... Led team in goals last year with 15 ... Also Played for Tulsa Soccer Club and has been named team captain for the last six years ... Has led club team win both goals and assists and won five state championships with club team including scoring the winning goal to win the championship ....Wendy's High School Heisman school winner ... top three percent of graduating class of 1060 ... Coached in high school by Terry Strombeck and Mark Shannon ... Club coach was Steve Earle ...Son of Mark and Kathy Shannon.